Our view: Mt. Markham should reinstate James LaFountain

Thursday

Sep 27, 2012 at 12:01 AMSep 27, 2012 at 2:22 AM

Carrying on case a disservice to school and community

- STAFF REPORT

It’s time for the Mt. Markham board of education to reinstate elementary school Principal James LaFountain. To keep him from his job any longer does a disservice to the community, its taxpayers, staff, students and education in general.

LaFountain was placed on a paid administrative leave following an incident last January after he grabbed a disruptive third-grade student by the collar. Last month, a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child was adjourned in contemplation of dismissal, which means it will be dropped in six months.

Although LaFountain remains on leave pending a disciplinary hearing, the board could reinstate him at any time. They most certainly should.

-- The Herkimer County district attorney’s office fully investigated the matter and the misdemeanor charge will be dismissed. LaFountain met privately with the family of the child, apologized for scaring him, and admitted that his actions weren't the best approach for dealing with the problem.

-- LaFountain had asked to receive training in proper restraint of an unruly child before the incident occurred, a request denied by the administration. He finally took it on his own through Upstate Cerebral Palsy instead of through the school.

-- The school district continues to pay LaFountain AND an interim principal, who’s getting $300 a day. What’s more, the district is paying thousands of dollars in attorney fees to fight a case that appears to be pretty weak, given the facts that are known. District taxpayers should be outraged. This is a huge waste of their money.

-- LaFountain wants to return to work, although the board wants to throw away even more money and buy out his contract.

-- A large majority of the public sentiment favors LaFountain’s reinstatement.

LaFountain said he has turned down an offer of several weeks of unpaid penalty, and also has refused the contract buyout. He remains steadfast in his belief that he didn’t do anything wrong based on the limited training he had at the time of the incident.

We agree. The school board should do the right thing and bring LaFountain back to work so he — and everyone else — can get on with the business of educating Mt. Markham’s students.